Proposed shooting range divides neighbors

Some Denton residents are asking officials to deny a neighbor's request for a permit to operate a proposed shooting range near the eastern portion of High Rock Lake.

BY NASH DUNNThe Dispatch

Some Denton residents are asking officials to deny a neighbor's request for a permit to operate a proposed shooting range near the eastern portion of High Rock Lake.In early June, Lexington resident Brent Knight requested a special use permit to construct and operate a firing range at 3950 Shiptontown Road in Denton.The range would be open seven days a week, have four shooting areas and would be used for turkey shoots, matches, tournaments and special events, according to information in Knight's application.At its June 18 meeting, the Davidson County Planning and Zoning Board recommended 3-0 that the shooting range be denied, said planning director Guy Cornman. The vote, which came at a meeting where two board members were absent, was based mostly on a lack of evidence that the range would maintain and enhance property values, one of the conditions of the special use permit, Cornman said.The planning board's recommendation goes on to the Davidson County Board of Adjustment, which will take up the issue after a public hearing scheduled for 7 p.m. July 18 at the Davidson County Governmental Center in Lexington.Bruce Peck, who lives about four miles from the proposed range, said he will speak in opposition."My main concern is someone getting hurt out here from a stray round," Peck said. "I don't see how they could build everything up enough to prevent that from happening."Peck, who said he is a Vietnam veteran in favor of gun rights, said he is also concerned about property values decreasing because of noise associated with the range.When contacted by The Dispatch, Knight deferred any comment to his attorney, Bit Holton. Holton said he could not comment since the issue involves a quasi-judicial proceeding, and he can’t comment on evidence prior to the board of adjustment hearing.The proposed range would be located on a 30-acre tract of land in a heavily wooded area. Shooters would fire away from Shiptontown Road into a 25-yard backdrop that would include ballistic sand and a topsoil-and-grass cover, according to a sketch and site plan of the range.The four shooting areas would include a 300-yard rifle lane, a 100-yard pistol and shotgun lane, a 100-yard metal reactive target lane and a 100-yard tactical course.The proposed location of the range is owned by L.W. Shoaf, who said the Knights are potential buyers. Shoaf, who hunts on the land, said the range would be a positive asset for the community.“I know that there is concern about noise, but there are not very many days at all that we hunt the property that somewhere in the distance, within a mile around the property, that you don't hear some private party go into a barrage of gunfire on their own private shooting,” Shoaf said. “The thought that people around may have concerns over hearing gunshots, to me that's not really something they should be that concerned about. It already exists there.”As part of Knight's application, Timothy Ragan, a North Carolina certified general appraiser, wrote a letter that said the range would at least "maintain the value of the surrounding properties" and would create no adverse conditions.The range would also include a reception and retail building, where ammunition and related equipment would be sold. In addition, the range would be lighted and have covered shelters enclosed on three sides, according to Knight's application.Peck said that several petitions are circulating throughout the community for and against the proposed shooting range.Don Esposito, a Denton resident who was one of several to speak against the proposed range at the planning board's meeting last month, said he moved to Denton because of the quiet, laid-back lifestyle. That could be compromised by the approval of a permit for the shooting range, Esposito said in a letter to the editor of The Dispatch."The beautiful noise that we hear of birds chirping would be replaced by gunfire from 30 gun stations that are planned," Esposito said in his letter. "The peacefulness and the enjoyment of the lake area will change."Nash Dunn can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 227, or at nash.dunn@the-dispatch.com.